Brown takes bold stand against Mugabe
Gordon Brown will boycott the EU-Africa summit in Portugal later this year as a mark of protest against the despotic leader of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe.
The prime minister announced this decisive course of action during an interview with the Independent newspaper today. It is the first public articulation of Mr Brown’s stance regarding Zimbabwe since his tenure began this summer.
Four million people have fled the troubled African country during Robert Mugabe’s reign of terror.
Mr Mugabe led his ZANU party to power in 1980. At present, 80 per cent of the population are unemployed, four million will be on food aid by the end of the year, and average life expectancy has fallen to just 37.
Widespread reports of corruption, abuse and political intimidation forced the EU to impose a travel ban on Mugabe and 131 other members of ZANU. These are expected to be lifted in December to allow the leader to attend the EU-Africa summit in Lisbon.
Mr Brown announced today he will not attend the summit, and urged other leaders to follow in refusing to meet a president responsible for the systematic “abuse” of his own people.
The prime minister said: “Reports this week from Zimbabwe have graphically illustrated the appalling and tragic situation in which the people of Zimbabwe now find themselves.
“We are currently the second largest donor in Zimbabwe, providing up to £40m a year in humanitarian assistance and for HIV and Aids care in support of the most vulnerable.
“In addition, the British government is announcing today an additional £8m for Zimbabwe this year, to be delivered through the World Food Programme.
“But this alone will not be enough. And working with our international partners we must do more to press the Zimbabwean government to change.”
Mr Brown said he was eager to see the EU sanctions on ZANU members extended, and confirmed he would be appealing to both the EU and the UN for further intervention and humanitarian assistance.
He continued: “It is also right that I make clear my position on the forthcoming EU-Africa Summit.
“President Mugabe is the only African leader to face an EU travel ban. There is a reason for this – the abuse of his own people.
“President Mugabe’s attendance would mean lifting the EU visa ban that we have collectively imposed. I believe that President Mugabe’s presence would undermine the summit, diverting attention from the important issues that need to be resolved. In those circumstances, my attendance would not be appropriate.”
